Instead of going alone and needing a license, you can always take a guided class. This is a good idea for experienced anglers as well as beginners, and can last from a few hours to a full day. A class can be for just one student or for a group, and prices may vary depending on the extent of your experience.Click here to see our fishing lessons across the UK.

What to buy before you start fishing:

1. Rod or a pole.

Most beginner kits are based around a rod and pole.
Rod types vary from Ultra light and light, to medium, medium heavy and heavy. Heavy rods are ideal for big fish, whilst light rods are ideal for lighter fish.

2. A reel

Many beginner rods do come with reels. Reels are made in four basic categories: bait casting, spinning, spin casting, and fly and spinning are the easiest for beginners to use.

3. Line

To choose the right line you need to know what sort of fish you are attempting to catch. A small carp can be caught on a lighter line and heavier fish needs a heavier line. However, lines can hold much more than their own weight. If you buy a beginners reel, it is likely to have been prefilled with a monofilament so you won’t need to buy a line.

4.Hooks

Hooks come in all different sizes, and like the lines, these should be heavier, in line with the potential fish’s weight

6. Bait is placed on your line- usually onto a swivel or leader which allows bait to be easily changed. You should ensure that your hook is embedded deep into the bait so it is not visible.

Types of Bait

There are a variety of types of bait, from live, to prepared, and artificial bait.Live bait includes worms, flys and crickets, and this can be easily purchased from tackle stores. Perch are keen on live bait, in general. If you are fishing smaller fish, remember to use a small bit of live bait, or to use only a section. This bait is best put onto a ‘bobber’ so it floats, as opposed to the easier casting of an artificial lure.

Prepared bait comes in pots or packages and includes special corns, balls, bombs and flavoured pieces ideal for storing at home. Prepared items like groundbait can be ‘catapulted’ into the water to create a feeding frenzy. Carp tend to be particularly interested in prepared bait.

Artificial Bait is even easier to be stored and is usually made from plastic or feather in the shapes or live animals. This includes jigs- which bounce along the water, plugs- that imitate small fish, poppers that imitate twitching bugs, spoons, which look like minnows, and spinners, which use a propeller to vibrate along the water.

So there you have it, a basic list on what you need to start fishing- have you been fishing yet? What has been your biggest catch in the UK?